MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) will host a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9th, 2018 to celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated passenger rail extension project. The ceremony presented by TAMC and the Salinas City Center Improvement Association will be held at the Salinas Train Station, 18 Station Place (parking lot behind former All US Credit Union).

The long-awaited Monterey County Rail Extension – Kick Start Project will extend passenger rail service from Santa Clara County to the City of Salinas. The project will improve commuter access between Salinas, Gilroy, San Jose, and San Francisco. It will provide an alternative to traffic congestion, thereby reducing commuter stress and increasing productivity. The extension will provide access to jobs, healthcare, education and shopping, and expand transportation options for the young, elderly and disabled.

The Monterey County Rail Extension project represents an $81 million investment in the infrastructure of Monterey County. The project constitutes an unprecedented collaboration of state and regional transportation agencies, along with local jurisdictions, to put in place the transportation infrastructure Monterey County needs to thrive in the 21st century.

In addition to the groundbreaking ceremony, the Historic Harvey House and Salinas Railroad Museum will be open for tours.